Ketu
This story of the origin of Ketu is the same as that of Rahu. It relates to the great churning of the ocean by the Devas and the Asuras to take out Amrita (Nectar).
Lord Vishnu had the intention of preserving goodness and was keen that the Amrita should not go to the Asuras. He took the form of Mohini, an exceptionally beautiful woman. Mohini was entrusted with the task of distributing Amrit. She manipulated the sitting arrangement in a manner that she got to the Devtas first to give them Amrit first. Swarbhanu, a wise Asura understood her plan. He took the form of Devas and positioned himself in between Sun and Moon.
When his term came, he also received Amrita from the disguised Lord Vishnu. However, before Swarbhanu could drink the Amrit, Sun, and Moon identified him. Lord Vishnu then severed off his head with his Sudarshan Chakra. Since some drops of Amrita had gone down, hence both the head and body became immortal. The head represents Rahu and the Tail is Ketu.
The severed head was taken by Simihika the mother of Asura Swarbhanu and nursed patiently. The head over a period of time got the body of Serpent and he was was named Rahu. A Brahmin named Mini took the body. He brought up this body as his own son. To this body, Lord Vishnu granted a serpent’s head. This became Ketu who in the due course of time became a saintly and revered seer.
Rahu and Ketu have not forgiven Sun and Moon for exposing them and they cause Eclipse as per some of the earlier texts of our culture.
Ketu is the significator of the following as per Uttara Kalamrita:
a) Worship of Chandi, Ganesh, and others
b) Medical practitioner
c) Vultures
d) Final emancipation
e) Consumption
f) Painful fevers
g) Bath in the Ganges
h) Great penance
I) Wind complaints
j) Mantra Shastra
k) Instability of mind
l) Diseases of the stomach and eye
m) Vedanta
n) Grandfather
o) Smallpox or boils
p) A servant of Shiva
q) Association with foreigners or lower class.
It is observed that a strong Ketu generally gives good results and a malefic Ketu creates lots of hindrances in life.
The effect of Ketu placement in twelve houses will vary as per the lordship and planetary placement in each horoscope. However, general indications of Ketu in different houses are given below.
When Ketu is placed in the lagna the native may be spiritually inclined.
The native may be aggressive in nature, may be a go-getter, and will achieve success with effort.
The native may have foreign associations and will also gain from them.
However, this placement can cause health-related issues.
The native may have issues in marriage or may also get involved in illicit relationships.
When Ketu is placed in the second house the native may do well financially. The native can gain money from foreign or foreign sources.
There may be issues in family or marital life.
The native should do well professionally with effort.
However, the native may have problems with outsiders in his family.
There may be health-related concerns for the spouse.
It is also likely that there may be unexpected gains from speculation. However, it can give losses too.
When Ketu is placed in the third house the native may do well professionally as well as financially.
The native shall also travel on pilgrimage and will always talk about those travels. The native may be spiritual by nature.
The native will be courageous and will always emerge victorious in every sphere of his life. The native may win over his enemies.
He/ She may be healthy and may remain disease free.
There may be many sources of earnings.
When Ketu is placed in the fourth house the native may settle in foreign land. The native may travel far and wide. Fortune will get triggered only far away from the birthplace.
The native may not have much happiness from their mother.
There may be many changes with respect to career as well as residence.
However, this placement of Ketu can give health-related issues to the mother as well as the self.
The native may gain from foreign travel. There may be financial constraints at times.
When Ketu is placed in the fifth house the native may gain from investments. He/ She may do well financially. There is a chance of speculative gains as well.
However, this placement can cause issues in having children. Health-related problems or issues with respect to career or profession are also likely.
The native is advised to exercise prudence while investing.
The native may get involved in illicit affairs which may also bring him disrepute.
When Ketu is placed in the sixth house the native may do well professionally as well as financially.
There may be chances of foreign travel as well as foreign settlement.
The native may emerge victorious in all competitions.
The native may remain healthy and will be able to conquer all diseases.
The native will be able to gain from adversities and tough situations.
However, some health-related complications are possible as well.
When Ketu is placed in the seventh house the native may get involved or get married to foreigners.
The native and his spouse may have technical jobs.
It is likely that he/she may travel far and wide and also can have foreign settlement.
However, this placement of Ketu can cause health issues both to self as well as spouse.
The native may have career-related uncertainty as well as uncertain finance at times.
The native should be careful while choosing a partner or business associate.
When Ketu is placed in the eighth house the native may have sudden financial gains.
He/ She may also have positive career-related changes.
However, this placement of Ketu cannot be considered too good as there may be health-related issues and the native may also be prone to accidents as well. This placement is also not very good with respect to longevity.
The native may have to face many obstacles if Ketu is placed in the eighth house.
When Ketu is placed in the ninth house the native may travel far and wide.
He/ She may keep the company of holy people.
There may be gains from foreign or foreign associations.
However, this placement can mar the happiness from father and can also cause certain friction from him.
The native may also have issues with Guru.
There may be uncertainty with respect to career as well as finances as well.
There may be health-related concerns in the family.
When Ketu is placed in the tenth house the native may have a technical career or profession. The job of the native may be connected with foreign or foreigners. There may be many changes with respect to job and career in life. However, with effort, you may have an illustrious career and good professional growth.
The native may have uncertain finances. The native should get connected to good and wise people.
When Ketu is placed in the eleventh house the native should do well professionally as well as financially. There may be varied sources of income for such native.
The native will enjoy happiness from a good house and good conveyance.
He/ She may be ultrarich. There may be foreign connections in earnings. The native will travel far and wide.
However, there may be difficulties concerning the health of the mother as well as childbirth.
When Ketu is placed in the twelfth house the native may travel far and wide and may also have foreign settlement eventually. There may also be foreign sources in his earnings.
However, the native will always be troubled by enemies.
There may be issues or concerns with respect to health as well.
The native may have career-related uncertainty.
Financial aspects may also remain uncertain.
The native may be prone to tension or depression. He/ She may have bad dreams.
What does Ketu represent in a chart? 
